Geranium plant named `Fispur`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named `Fispur`, particularly characterized by the combined features of cherry red flower color, weakly semi-double, nearly round flower form, medium green foliage with distinct zonation, medium vigorous, but comparatively compact plant habit, and early to medium spring flower response.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name `Fispur`.

`Fispur` is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new geranium cultivars with red flower color,medium green, zoned foliage, and medium tall plant habit.

`Fispur` was originated from a hybridization made by the inventorAngelika Utecht in a controlled breeding program in Galdar, GranCanaria, Spain, in 1991. The female parent was the cultivar `Fisnida`characterized by its single orange-red flowers, medium green foliagewith distinct zonation, and medium to vigorous growth. The male parentof `Fispur` was the commercial variety `Penve`, having pink-violetsemi-double flowers, slightly zoned foliage, and compact growth habit.

`Fispur` was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Angelika Utecht in 1992 in a controlledenvironment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain. The first act of asexualreproduction of `Fispur` was accomplished when vegetative cuttings weretaken from the initial selection in Autumn 1992 in a controlledenvironment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain, by, or under the supervisionof, Angelika Utecht.

Horticultural examination of plants grown from these cuttings, initiatedin May 1993 in Hillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany and continuingthereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for `Fispur` are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Fispur` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length,without, however, any variation in genotype.

The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describeplants grown in Hillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of `Fispur`, which in combination distinguishthis geranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Light cherry red flower color.

2. Round, open semi-double flowers.

3. Medium green foliage with distinct zonation.

4. Medium growth characteristics and compact plant habit.

5. Early to medium spring flower response.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to `Fispur` are the commercial varieties `Fismag`,disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,725, `Disco`, disclosed in U.S. PlantPat. No. 5,930, and `Fisbraris`, disclosed in pending application Ser.No. 08/548,893.

In general comparison to `Fismag`, `Fispur` has a slightly lighterflower color, the shape of its florets is more round and closed, and itsfoliage is somewhat more distinctly zoned. In addition, plants of`Fispur` have a shorter habit during the summer. In contrast, `Fismag`grows taller during the summer, and its umbels are higher above thefoliage.

In contrast to `Disco`, `Fispur` has distinctly zoned foliage. Inaddition, the flowers of `Fispur` lack the purple eyes on its petals andits umbels are comparatively wide and flat. By contrast, the umbels of`Disco` are almost spherically shaped and borne higher above thefoliage.

In comparison to `Fisbraris`, flowers of `Fispur` lack the distinct redeyes of `Fisbraris`, and its foliage is medium green, in contrast to thedark green leaves of `Fisbraris`. The plant habit of `Fispur` withinflorescences is taller than `Fisbraris`.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of `Fispur`, with colors being as true as possible withillustrations of this type.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color values weredetermined indoors from flowers taken from plants grown in a greenhousein May 1995 in Hillscheid, Germany.

Classification:

Botanical.--A hybrid of the species Pelargonium zonale l'hert.

Commercial.--Zonal geranium, cv. `Fispur`.

Inflorescence:

Umbel.--Shape: Flat semi-spherical. Average diameter: 109 mm. Averagedepth: 60 mm. Peduncle length: 152 mm. Color of peduncle: Green,slightly anthocyanin colored. Pedicel length: 27 mm. Pedical color:Light to dark red. Number of flowrs per umbel: About 35-45.

Corolla.--Average diameter: 46 mm. Form: Semi-double. Number of petals:7-8. Number of petaloids: 1-2. Color (General tonality from a distanceof three meters): Light cherry red. Color of upper petals: Between 57 Band 52 A. Markings on upper petals: No distinct markings. Color of lowerpetals: 57 C. Color of lower surface of petals: 52 A. Color of sepals:Green. Number of sepals: 5.

Bud.--Shape: Round to elliptic. Color (adaxial): Green Color (abaxial):Rose-red

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: 7 fertile anthers, white filaments,orange pollen. Gynoecium: 5-6 lobed stigma, light red style and stigma.Seed set: A few seeds occasionally are produced.

Spring flowering response period.--In Hillscheid, Germany in 1995 plantshad on average 1.1 flowers opened 11 weeks after planting of unrootedcuttings.

Outdoor flower production.--The flower count in 1994 in Hillscheid,Germany indicated about 28 umbels per plant for May through Augustobservation period.

Durability.--Good shatter resistance.

Plant:

Foliage.--Form: Kidney-shaped. Margin: Bicrenated. Size of leaf: 94 mm.Color of upper surface: Medium green, approximately 137 C-D. Color ofzonation: Brown, about 166 A. Tolerance of botrytis: Average.

General appearance and form.--Internode length: 20-30 mm. Branchingpattern: 6.6 branches per plant, on 12 week old plants. Height offoliage: 17 cm in June, based on 16 week old plants.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named`Fispur`, as illustrated and described.